Fwd: Good News!

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Randall Wenger, Independence Law Center <mail@pafamily.org>
Date: Thu, Aug 27, 2020 at 12:14 PM
Subject: Good News!
To: <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>

Dear Friend,

Would you like some good news?

You're helping churches reach more people with the Good News of the Gospel. Now that's really good news. Here are the details:

Thanks to your generous partnership, our team at the Independence Law Center just chalked up exciting victories on behalf of two local churches in opposite corners of Pennsylvania after providing each with much-needed legal counsel free of charge - all made possible because of your financial partnership with us. And wins like this benefit everyone, by protecting and expanding religious freedom!

We were in trial this summer representing a Monroe County church (NE PA), and the judge just handed down his decision...Victory! We filed the case against county officials who had been forcing the church to pay taxes on their property as if they were a for-profit corporation - something no church should have to do. The result: a big win, which means that rather than paying an unjust tax, those funds can go directly to advancing the church's mission. To put this victory in perspective, the funds are enough to cover the salary of one employee to help them serve their local community. You can read more about this case and see our post-trial interview with the pastor here.

The second victory belonged to a Pittsburgh area church that rents and meets in a public school building. Recently, there was pressure from some in the community and a few members on the school board to stop the church from using school facilities. Our legal team worked with both the church and the school, which resulted in the school board voting, by a 5-4 decision, to allow the church to continue to meet in the building.

In a thank you note, this church family shared with our team:

We see the merits of your organization and the fruit of the work that you do! We will be able to reach more people with the GOOD NEWS of the GOSPEL!!!

By extension, this church is thanking you for this fruit -- made possible by your partnership with us.

Like you, we want the church to be the church - saving lives with the Gospel, not fighting legal battles. That's why Independence Law Center exists - to help keep the door to the Gospel open across Pennsylvania and throughout our society. I hope you know that, by God's grace, your partnership with us is helping to make this happen.

Our work at the Independence Law Center has only intensified since the COVID-19 shutdowns began. Our team has accomplished much and I hope you're as energized as we are by victories like these.

Here's even more great news: our team is expanding (as are the demands for our services), and we are in a search for another attorney to add to the Independence Law Center. Your financial support will also go to help make this possible. If you'd like to invest more into your partnership with us, you may make a secure online contribution here or contact our office at 717-657-4990.

Invest in the Independence Law Center

Together, we look forward to helping more churches and finding more ways to advance the Good News of the Gospel.

God bless,

Randall Wenger
Chief Counsel
Independence Law Center

P.S. If you know of an attorney looking to help advance religious freedoms, please contact us. We'd like to fill our opening A.S.A.P! And thank you for your partnership, prayers and financial support. We couldn't do it without you.